New Hampshire Justice Settles Ethics Case
Former Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi will avoid further professional discipline under a new settlement agreement.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Former New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi has reached a settlement with the state's Judicial Conduct Committee. The agreement resolves an ethics probe regarding her influence in a criminal case involving her husband.
Why it matters
The settlement addresses allegations that the justice improperly used her position to seek information about a legal matter. While the agreement concludes the ethics case, it highlights the state's enforcement of judicial conduct codes.
The agreement acknowledges a violation of the state code of ethics following the former justice's 2025 no-contest plea to a misdemeanor charge. Final resolution now rests on approval from the New Hampshire Supreme Court or an alternative panel.
The players
Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi
She served as a justice on the New Hampshire Supreme Court after being appointed to the bench in 2017.
Geno Marconi
He is the husband of the former justice and previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge.
Chris Sununu
He served as the Governor of New Hampshire and met with the justice during his tenure.
New Hampshire Judicial Conduct Committee
This body is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct against members of the judiciary.
The details
The Judicial Conduct Committee investigated whether Hantz Marconi leveraged her role to obtain details regarding the criminal case of her husband, Geno Marconi. Her husband previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge involving the unauthorized sharing of confidential motor vehicle records.
Timeline
In June 2024, Hantz Marconi met with then-Governor Chris Sununu in his office.
Hantz Marconi entered a no-contest plea to a misdemeanor charge in October 2025.
The justice retired from the New Hampshire Supreme Court in February 2026.
The ethics settlement agreement was reported on October 29, 2026.
Legal Context
This settlement aligns with established oversight procedures governed by the New Hampshire Code of Judicial Conduct. It reflects the ongoing accountability process for members of the bench, following the precedent of recent ethical investigations within the state judiciary.
The resolution of this case brings closure to an investigation that questioned the integrity of state judicial processes. Residents may observe the court's upcoming decision on whether legal expenses are shifted to the former justice.
The takeaway
The settlement confirms that judicial officers are held to rigorous ethical standards regardless of their tenure. Public officials and legal professionals are reminded that personal interactions may be scrutinized under state conduct codes.
Further reading
For more background on state oversight, see Criminal Justice in New Hampshire.
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